Nearly half of American adults aged 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease.[1] These start painlessly, and even before you get a whiff of discomfort, the damage is done. Usually, poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing and flossing daily, and habits like smoking, are to blame. Diabetes and heart diseases can also cause gum disease, such as periodontitis. The worst part is that gum disease isn’t curable, as the lost structural bones and tissue don’t grow back on their own. While artificial methods for restoring structure exist, this new fruit-based biomaterial prompts cells to form bone-forming tissue within 14 days.
The research team, from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FCMS) at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP) in Sorocaba, Brazil, has combined jackfruit latex, pomegranate peel extract, and simvastatin—a drug that reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes—to create a biomaterial that is more effective at treating periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory gum disease caused by infection. Over time, it can destroy the structures that anchor teeth and lead to bone loss. Ultimately, the teeth become loose and can even fall out.
Current treatments are designed to control infection and inflammation, but don’t do so well at regenerating damaged gum-associated tissue. There are other approaches, such as bone grafting, that specifically aid in tissue restoration but are often difficult to predict. To address these limitations, the researchers began exploring natural bioactive materials that could simultaneously address several aspects of the disease.
Medicinal Material with a Natural Kick
Professor Eliana Aparecida de Rezende Duek, from the Department of Surgery at the FCMS, coordinated the study. Her team extracted latex from jackfruit, which has adhesive properties, making it suitable for remaining longer at the affected site. While the jackfruit latex itself isn’t therapeutic, it facilitates the targeted release of medicinal compounds, reducing the need for systemic antibiotic use.
Talking of medicinal compounds, pomegranate peel extract is known for its antimicrobial properties when applied topically, and simvastatin, apart from its anti-inflammatory properties, can also stimulate bone formation. Together, the components formed a muco-adhesive matrix that could act directly on damaged tissue.
Simvastatin is also a drug that is barely absorbed into the bloodstream and is mostly retained by the liver. As a result, a higher dose is often prescribed, increasing the risk of side effects such as acute muscle degeneration. Delivering the drug directly to the affected periodontal site reduces the need for a higher dose and helps avoid many of the associated side effects.
Making the Biomaterial
To create the biomaterial, the scientists collected latex from freshly harvested jackfruit and purified it. Pomegranate peel extract was then introduced into the material. The peel extract is rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins, which have been known to disrupt bacterial membranes and biofilms. The team conducted a series of physicochemical and biological analyses to gain insights into the biomaterial’s structure and behavior under laboratory conditions.
The researchers performed an in vitro (in glass) study using human adipose-derived stem cells, in which simvastatin was added at concentrations of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.2%. These levels did not alter the gel’s structure and are theoretically safe. All three concentrations encouraged cells to develop into bone-forming tissue through a process called osteoinduction within 14 days. After three weeks of applying the biomaterial, the bone-forming effects only grew stronger.
Early Results show Promise
“Overall, the results were very encouraging for us. We observed that the developed biomaterial has great potential for future applications in treating periodontitis and in other areas as well, especially since it involves a material that has received little attention in the scientific literature for biomedical use,” says Duek. However, she warns that the technology is far from clinical use, and further research is needed. Especially the system’s safety and efficacy need more attention.
Meanwhile, we should continue to take diligent care of our teeth and gums. Even before periodontitis, a sticky film of food and bacteria forms on our teeth, which, over time, can harden into tartar that leads to infection. As the famous saying goes—Prevention is better than cure—let’s make the right lifestyle choices to prevent oral diseases.
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